ruddfuneralhome.bsky.social

A lover of fine art, literature, music & nature; sometimes I reflect on politics & society. Yes, I do have a Ph.D. (sadly, neoliberalism killed my career).

[Mick Jagger @MickJagger]

Remembering David Hockney, he was kind and always had a sparkle in his eye. He never stopped experimenting and is one of the finest painters of our generation.

[Saganism @Saganismm]

There is a cult of ignorance... nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’

— Isaac Asimov

[Richard Morris @ahistoryinart]

Shocked to hear David Hockney has died. His huge achievement was to make serious painting look effortless. He carried forward one of the most sustained investigations into vision, space and representation by any post-war artist. British art has lost a giant.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Amazing first day at the public inquiry into AUKUS. The analysis, intellect and commitment from presenters was exceptional.
The govt cannot ignore this inquiry, it cannot hide behind “secrecy” and cannot continue to spout propaganda at the expense of facts.
Well done everyone!

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

https://t.co/fCdfJrLyrW
Our fantastic team of volunteers have provided the above link to a livestream of the AUKUS public hearing.
Hearing commences 10.00am.
First submission from Prof The Hon Gareth Evans.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Hawke or Keating govts would not have engaged in AUKUS. “Times have changed” says Gareth Evans.
How true! Whitlam, Hawke and Keating would never have sacrificed our sovereignty and security to the US!

[Antony (Tony) Walker @tonywalker1]

Chris Sidoti on Australia's obligations regarding Israel's war against the Palestinians, under international human rights law, and other international statutes too numerous to mention @GuardianAus https://t.co/ycrWwwaTFe

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Pat Conroy failing to justify the AUKUS fiasco.
Nothing he asserts justifies spending $368b integrating our military with the US and abandoning our sovereignty to Trump and his minions.
Abandoning diplomacy and common sense for military aggression is a recipe for disaster.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Conroy’s desperation has resulted in false claims that the Australia Institute is “running” the public inquiry.
I have been closely involved in establishing the inquiry. The inquiry is coordinated by a diverse group with the Australian Peace and Security Forum the lead agency.

[Consortium News @Consortiumnews]

Starting in 15 minutes:
FORUM: Challenging Governments' Indifference to International Law - Live from Parliament House Sydney
https://t.co/L0ymTLzQqb

As governments around the world face growing scrutiny over their response to atrocity crimes, Australians for Humanity invites you to an evening of expert analysis, frank discussion, and a call to action.

Keynote Speaker The Hon. Bob Carr — Former Premier of NSW and former Australian Foreign Minister, one of Australia's most experienced voices on international affairs.

Responding panelists:
Chris Sidoti — Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner and member of the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

Rawan Arraf — Executive Director and Principal Lawyer, Australian Centre for International Justice.

Ben Saul — Challis Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney and UN Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights.

Chair: Margaret Reynolds — Former ALP Senator and long-standing advocate for human rights and international law.

[David Pocock @DavidPocock]

Approximate passports costs:
🇨🇦 Canada = ~$170
🇬🇧 United Kingdom = ~$195
🇺🇸 United States = ~$180
🇳🇿 New Zealand = ~$225

Australian 🇦🇺 passport cost...$422

Passport fees and charges are expected to generate $1.12 billion for the 2029/30 FY. In the same FY, expected revenue for PRRT is projected to be $1.25 billion

[David Pocock @DavidPocock]

The cost of these degrees is completely unsustainable & we haven't seen the Albanese Govt treat reform of the failed Job Ready Graduates scheme with the urgency it deserves.

While they delay tens of thousands of students are racking up tens of thousands of $$ in student debt that will dog their life choices.

Govt needs to understand this failed policy is having huge real world impacts on students lives & futures.

Fix the timing of indexation and reform JRG. We could tax gas exports to pay for it.
https://t.co/RoNC3JAOLf

[Dr Monique Ryan MP @Mon4Kooyong]

I wrote to the Health Minister about this yesterday. Women with breast cancer and endometriosis will be denied a critical drug "for commercial reasons", while men with prostate cancer will still be able to access it.

Our PBS is still awaiting the reform called for by the Health Technology Assessment review, and that's costing vulnerable Australians.
https://t.co/0A7L9FNVqD

[Antony (Tony) Walker @tonywalker1]

On @abc730 Mr Marles described the AUKUS deal as a 'pretty complex endeavor.' Pity he and Mr Albanese hadn't given bit more thought to this so-called 'complex endeavor' before he put the country into hock for incalculable sums of money, leaving aside diminution of sovereignty.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Another confusing, incoherent and bewildering interview on the AUKUS fiasco from Richard Marles on ABC 7.30.
No straight answers, no final cost, no delivery dates and no guarantees of ever getting a sub.
This is a major political and strategic weakness for the ALP government!

[Antony (Tony) Walker @tonywalker1]

@SkyNewsAust host signs off friendly interview with Opposition Treasury spokesperson, Tim Wilson with the words "thankyou for your time, mate", like use of chummy first names by interviewers on the same channel, shrinking gap between journalism and advocacy, for record.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Have attached the Cambridge dictionary definition of “disingenuous”. You can be the judge of who is behaving in a disingenuous manner! 🤥
It’s not Ed Husic.

[Doug Cameron @DougCameron51]

Pat Conroy calls Ed Husic “disingenuous”. Claims the parliamentary left support AUKUS.
It’s not “disingenuous” to oppose the ALP descending further into militarism. It seems theparliamentary left are out of touch with the Labor R&F. They used to be the voice of the R&F in caucus.

[Dr Monique Ryan MP @Mon4Kooyong]

It’s a national embarrassment that a former Labor minister is crowdfunding for an independent inquiry into AUKUS, one which the government keeps denying us.

You wonder why people are giving up on the major parties: first they commit us to an extraordinarily expensive deal with unreliable allies and even less reliable deliverables, now they change terms of the deal without real transparency, and tell us we're getting a good deal when we’re paying the same for less. Australians aren't buying it.
https://t.co/hsdlc7r5ql

[Andrew Wilkie MP @WilkieMP]

AUKUS is the biggest defence project in Australian history and yet it still hasn’t been properly scrutinised. Good on the APSF for establishing the AUKUS Public Inquiry. Submissions can be made here: https://t.co/0Pu8VqrAAC

#auspol